Welcome to the Autumn 2010edition of our quarterly Patient Newsletter. This edition includes information regarding men’s health, migraines and the dreaded flu season as well as staff updates.
Men’s Health
Almost half the population is male and yet as far as health care is concerned men consult their GP less frequently and also later in the course of an illness. So what can males do to maintain their health and what should they look out for? Some things are common to men of all ages. These are the things that your doctor will mention almost every time you see him/her, for example:
- smoking status and advice on stopping. Smoking is a major risk factor in coronary heart disease and lung disease
- alcohol – Scotland has high incidence of health problems relating to alcohol abuse due to our endemic bad habit of drinking too much too often. Problems include liver disease, alcoholism and relationship difficulties. The recommended level of intake for a male is that they should not drink more than 3-5 units/day (a pint is 3 units, double whisky is 2 units).
- diet – as men get older exercise becomes a less attractive option and the waist enlarges. We also need to make sure that the content of our diet is healthy and includes vegetables, fruit and less red meat.
Other problems are more common in certain age groups:
One common cancer in young men is cancer of the testicle. It is important that all men feel their testicles regularly and see a doctor if they feel any swelling or lumps. Some swelling may be due to blood vessels and this needs to be corrected if fertility is to be maintained.
Middle aged men need to come and have their BP checked and have risk factors for other conditions checked e.g.
- if you are over weight and do not exercise, then there is risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- it is important that if there is bleeding from any source, that you seek an appointment. All men over 50 will be sent a faeces sample kit every 2 years to check for blood in stools. This test is very important and should not be ignored.
- do report any loss of weight or swallowing problems/heartburn that is not relieved.
- once later middle age is reached then the midnight and 3.00am visit to the loo becomes a problem and the urine flow is not what it used to be. This may indicate a problem with the prostate which can be dealt with by medication.
These are just a few pointers for you to think about, and if you have any concerns, make an appointment with your GP to discuss further.
Migraines
Migraine is a common condition that causes episodes (attacks) of headaches. Other symptoms such as feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting are also common. Between migraine attacks, the symptoms disappear completely. About 1 in 4 women, and about 1 in 12 men, develop migraine at some point in their life. It most commonly first starts in childhood or as a young adult.
There are two main types of migraine attack: migraine attack without aura (sometimes called common migraine) and migraine attack with aura (sometimes called classic migraine).
Migraine without aura
This is the most common type of migraine. Symptoms include the following:
- Headache- usually on one side of the head, typically at the front or side but sometimes it is on both sides of the head. Sometimes it starts on one side, and then spreads all over the head. The pain is moderate or severe and is often described as throbbing or pulsating. Movements of the head may make it worse. The migraine often begins in the morning, but may begin at any time of day or night. Typically, the migraine gradually gets worse and peaks after 2-12 hours, gradually easing off, however it can last from 4 to 72 hours.
- Other symptoms that are common include feeling sick (nausea), vomiting, you may not like bright lights or loud noises, and you may just want to lie in a dark room.
Migraine with aura
About 1 in 4 people with migraine have migraine with aura. The symptoms are the same as those described above (migraine without aura), but also include an aura (warning sign) before the headache begins.
- Visual aura is the most common type of aura. Examples include a temporary loss of part of vision, flashes of light and objects may seem to rotate, shake, or 'boil'.
- Numbness and 'pins and needles' are the second most common type of aura. Numbness usually starts in the hand, travels up the arm and then involves the face, lips, and tongue. The leg is also affected sometimes.
- Problems with speech are the third most common type of aura.
- Other types of aura include: an odd smell, food cravings, a feeling of wellbeing and other odd sensations.
What causes migraine?
It is now thought that some chemicals in the brain increase in activity and parts of the brain may then send out confusing signals which cause the symptoms. The exact changes in brain chemicals are not known. It is also not clear why people with migraine develop these changes. However, something may trigger a change in activity of some brain chemicals to set off a migraine attack.
Triggers can be anything but usually can be grouped into one of the following causes:
- Diet – eating too quickly, irregular meals, red wine, cheese
- Psychological – anxiety, depression, weekend migraine (when stress levels are less)
- Environmental – VDU use , TV, smoky rooms
- Medicines – HRT, oral combination pill
- Other – including menstrual cycle, shift work
Treatment
A review of research studies published in 2010 concluded that aspirin (at full dose) either takes away migraine pain, or greatly reduces the pain, within 2 hours in more than half of the people who take it. Ibuprofen also helps and is better than paracetamol. Drugs for nausea and sickness may help. Drugs whose name ends in ‘triptan’ is an alternative if painkillers do not help. Triptan medicines are not painkillers and they work by interfering with a brain chemical called 5HT. An alteration in this chemical is thought to be involved in migraine.
Flu Clinics
The sun is disappearing fast from Aberdeen (was it ever here???) which means that it will soon be flu season once again. Our flu clinics will be starting shortly so keep an eye out for notices in the surgery and ask our receptionists for an appointment. If you are in the eligible groups as far as age or clinical condition (see below) is concerned then make sure you book an appointment. If you are not sure if you should get the flu jab please ask a GP or nurse.
Get your flu jab if:
-you are 65 years of age or older
OR
-you are less than 65 years of age but suffer from a chronic illness such as diabetes, asthma, COPD or kidney disease or have suffered from a heart attack or stroke etc.
Premises
Patients, local residents, local community group members and local pharmacists’ all attended the open day, held on 10th August 2010 at Woodside Community Centre. The open day was held as part of the consultation and involvement activities with patients and the local community. Over 50 people attended and were able to look at plans and drawings of what the practice might look like.The open day attracted various questions from those who attended, therefore, we have detailed a short list of questions and answers below.
Q: What are the bus routes to the new site?
A: The main bus routes to the new site are the 14, 17, 21 and the 23.
Q: Will there be parking at the new proposed site?
A: Yes, there will be a car park on the site, as well as dedicated disabled spaces.
Q: What is the timescale of the project?
A: We are in the design and consultation stage of the project and it is still at the very early stages. Therefore many things such as funding, approval and planning permission all still have to be agreed.
Q: What will happen to the football pitch?
A: We are looking to relocate the football pitch; this will be considered as part of planning permission and will be relocated before any work on the site begins.
Q: Will the entrance be on Great Northern Road?
A: The entrance to Woodside Medical Group will be on Great Northern Road.
Goodbye from Jenny West, Practice Manager
After almost 40 years at Woodside, the date of my retirement is looming. I have known this day was coming for quite some time but all too soon my working days are disappearing faster than I had ever imagined.
Having trained as a medical secretary at Aberdeen’s College of Commerce, I was delighted to be offered a job in this General Practice, commencing January 1971. At that time there were three separate practices but sadly, most of those GPs are no longer with us. There was a real family feel to the surgery and I immediately felt very much at home in Woodside. A number of the patients were registered here because their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles had been looked after by the GPs here too. When patients married and/or moved to other parts of the city, they remained as patients at Woodside. Some of you may even remember attending the doctor at his home, either in Clifton Road, Western Road or Queen Street before this surgery was built in the 1960’s. Thanks to the foresight of those GPs, this building was one of the first purpose-built premises in Aberdeen from which GP services were provided. These GPs encouraged and supported me in my employment, continuing education and training in healthcare administration which enabled me to become Practice Manager in May 1982. I am proud to say that support has continued for me over the years from subsequent and current GPs.
As some of you will know, there have been many changes over the years but I have enjoyed the challenges these have brought. I have enjoyed great relationships with doctors, staff, colleagues and patients. Local suppliers too have served the practice well over the years, in particular Baird’s pharmacy (previously Hughsons) with whom we work closely and who provide an excellent service in the community.
I will miss you all and would like to take this opportunity of wishing you health and happiness for the future. I have very fond memories of Woodside and will treasure these for ever. Lastly, I wish my successor, Kirsty Cook a long, happy career at Woodside and that you give her the support and respect I have enjoyed over the years.
Jenny West
Practice Manager